Head and neck stabilizer for travel

ABSTRACT

A head and neck support device includes first and second head support members that may be positioned in complimentary opposing locations to a rear area of the head. Each head support member comprises a substantially rectangular shaped pillow that may be affixed to headwear (e.g., hat) or a headband. The first and second head support members are configured to complimentarily support and distribute a weight of the head to substantially bypass a neck of the wearer and effectuate translation of the forces of gravity (somewhat equally) to the sides of the head of the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 13/102,033, filed May 5, 2011, which in turnclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/331,487,filed May 5, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/442,042,filed Feb. 2, 2011, the contents of all of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to head and neck support.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The human neck has a natural Lordotic Curve, also known as the “C”curve. In order to maintain a healthy “C” curve, a person must keep thehead centrally located over the body. This is often difficult toaccomplish when resting, reading, watching television, traveling on anairplane or in a vehicle, and performing tasks that require continuouslylooking in a downward direction, or if a person has poor posture. Theinevitable force of gravity pulls the head downward such that the neckexperiences certain levels of inversion in anyone of a plurality ofdirections with respect to the remainder of the spine. Head and/or necksupport, such as when sleeping upright or reading, can reduce fatigue,relieve pain in the neck and shoulder region, and prevent stiffness andother neck-related complications.

Currently, there are numerous neck support items available forrecreational and non-medical use. These neck pillows are often shapedlike the letter “U” or a horseshoe and are simply placed around theuser's neck with an open end in the front. The goal of these horseshoeshaped pillows is to offer orthopedic support and lessen pain in theneck and back while making it easier to fall asleep in an otherwise lessaccommodating setting.

The neck pillows can be used when sitting up. The user in a sitting andupright position slips the pillow around the neck which may prop up theuser's head as the head tilts (under the force of gravity) during asound sleep. However, the user's head is still subject to tilt forwardand wobble around during a sound sleep when traveling.

The main goal of any kind of neck pillow is to provide support for thehead and neck and to limit inversion of the neck with respect to thespine as the head falls under the force of gravity. However, neckpillows limit inversion only slightly and provide only a minimal levelof comfort, as the neck will still tend to invert and wobble under theweight of the head when the wearer is sleeping. Furthermore, theU-shaped profile does little by way of cradling or supporting the mentalprotuberance as the head rolls sideways under the force of gravity.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The aforementioned problems, and other problems, arc reduced, accordingto exemplary embodiments by the head and neck support device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a head and neck support devicecomprises first and second head support members that may be positionedin complimentary opposing locations to a rear area of the head. Eachhead support member comprises a substantially rectangular shaped pillowthat may be affixed to headwear (e.g., hat) or a headband. The headsupport members may be alternate shapes, such as what might beconsidered a stuffed node that is substantially shaped like a smallchild's fist. According to these embodiments, the first and second headsupport members are configured to complimentarily support and distributea weight of the head to substantially bypass a neck of the wearer andeffectuate translation of the forces of gravity (somewhat equally) tothe sides of the head of the wearer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a comfort headband member includes the firstand second head support members symmetrically affixed on the rear orback side of the headband. The headband member may be the type commonlyused for sports as “sweat bands”. As one of ordinary skill in the artappreciates, the headband may be made of alternate materials includingnatural fabrics (e.g., cotton), man-made fabrics, and combinationsthereof. An adjustable comfort eye panel extends from a lower end of afront side, such that a wearer could position the eye panel over his orher eyes to block out the light. And, the eye panel could be attachedsuch that flipping it up towards the headband results in the eye panelremaining in a fixed position so that the wearer's eyes are not covered.Alternatively, the eye panel may include attachment means (e.g., snap,button. hook and loop, etc.) to an exterior portion of the frontheadband to more securely keep the eye panel in a fixed position so thatthe wearer's eyes are not covered.

According to some of the embodiments of this invention, the headband ishorizontally adjustable to increase or decrease in diameter and fit avariety of head sizes. The adjustability allows the organizer to beincreased or decreased in length. Alternatively, the first and secondhead support members may include attachment means that can independentlyaffix to a variety of hats or headgear to customize the location andplacement for a particular wearer's head. In further exemplaryembodiments, the headband may include one or more pockets of varyingsize, such as a pocket to hold earplugs, a scented sachet, and otherobjects.

Other devices, methods, and/or products according to embodiments will beor become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of thefollowing drawings and further description. It is intended that all suchadditional devices, methods, and/or products be included within thisdescription, be within the scope of the present invention, and beprotected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a head and neck supportsystem in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of a head and neck supportsystem in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective top view of a head and neck supportsystem positioned about a wearer's head in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective side view of it head and neck supportsystem positioned about a wearer's head in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates perspective views of an alternative head andneck support system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of theinvention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a known anatomical structure of a skull.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any configuration or design described hereinas “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other configurations or designs. Furthermore, use ofthe words “present invention” is used herein to convey only some of theembodiments of the invention. For example, the words “present invention”would also include alternative embodiments and equivalent systems andcomponents that one of ordinary skill in the art understands. An exampleis that the materials used for the exemplary embodiments may be made outof man-made materials, natural materials, and. combinations thereof. Andlengths and widths (dimensions) may be varied. Still, a further exampleis that the apparatus or components of the apparatus may be manufacturedby machine(s), human(s) and combinations thereof

Some of the embodiments of the invention now will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichexemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully conveythe scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art.Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention,as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass bothstructural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it isintended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalentsas well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elementsdeveloped that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the likerepresent conceptual views or perspective views illustrating some of theneck support device and methods embodying this invention. The functionsof the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through theuse of materials that may vary in shape, attachment, size, and otherphysical features. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understandthat the exemplary head and neck support device, and/or methodsdescribed herein are for illustrative purposes and. thus, are notintended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer or otherrelevant physical limitation (e.g., color of the material).

FIG. 6 illustrates a known anatomical structure of a skull and will bereferenced from time to time as the features of the present inventionare described.

The head and neck support device provides comfort and support with theability to be properly sized to fit a variety of head circumferencesand/or heights. The head and neck support device provides distributedsupport of the head when the body is in an upright position. The headand neck support device, in an embodiment, is intended for recreationaland non-medical use. A consumer may use the head and neck support devicewhen resting, reading, watching television, traveling or performingother tasks that tend to overuse the neck muscles.

In an embodiment, the head and neck support device may substantiallyprevent inversion of the neck with respect to the remainder of the spineas the wearer sleeps or relaxes.

In an embodiment, the head and neck support device may prevent wobblingof the head when the wearer is asleep or relaxed so as to provide a morecomfortable position in a less than accommodating selling such as whentraveling in a car, plane, train, or other vehicle, which does not allowa person to rest in a reclined position.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate front, back, top and side perspective views of ahead and neck support device (also referred to herein as the “TravelHalo”). FIGS. 1-2 show the head and neck support device itself. And.FIGS. 3-4 show the head and neck support device being worn by a wearer310. The head and neck support device is comprised of a headband 110having a bottom edge 111 and a top edge 115. The bottom edge 111connects to an adjustable comfort eye panel 120 that is symmetricallycontoured with longer extensions 121 to cover the eyes of a wearer andcut-away position 122 to fit about a wearer's nose. Each first andsecond head support members 112 has an interior edge 113 and an exterioredge 114. According to an exemplary embodiment, the length L1 of thefront headband is approximately 10.5 inches. The length L2 of the eyepanel is 7.5 inches. The width W1 of the headband 110 is 2.5 inches.Similarly, the width W1 of each first and second head support member 112is 2.5 inches with spacing of about 2 inches in between the interioredges 113 of each head support member 112. And, the width W2 of the eyepanel from the bottom edge of the headband 111 to the longer extension121 is 3 inches.

The headband 110 includes a first and second head support members 112symmetrically affixed on the rear or back side of the headband. Theheadband 110 may be the type commonly used for sports as “sweat bands”.The adjustable comfort eye panel 120 extends from the bottom edge 111 ofa front side, such that a wearer could position the eye panel 120 overhis or her eyes to block out the light. Alternatively, the eye panel 120could be attached such that flipping it 120 up results in the eye panel120 remaining in a fixed position so that the wearer's eyes are notcovered as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the eye panel 120 may includeattachment means (e.g., snap, button, hook and loop, etc.) to anexterior portion of the headband 110 to secure the eye panel 120 in afixed position so that the wearer's eyes are not covered.

Each head support member 112 comprises a substantially rectangularshaped pillow that is affixed to the headband 110. In alternateembodiments, the head support members may be alternate shapes, such aswhat might be considered a stuffed node that is substantially shapedlike a small child's fist. According to these embodiments, the first andsecond head support members are configured to complimentarily supportand distribute a weight of the head to substantially bypass a neck ofthe wearer and effectuate translation of the forces of gravity (somewhatequally) to the sides of the head of the wearer.

In one embodiment, head and neck support device of FIGS. 1-4 isconfigured to adapt to a wide range of head circumferences and heights.That is, the headband 110 may be made of an elastic material thatconforms to the shape of the wearer's head and allows comfortable, snugpositioning of the first and second head support members 112. Inalternate embodiments, a headband may be horizontally adjustable, suchas by having a flat band that adjustably fastens to portions ofadjustable ends or alternate adjustable means.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show perspective views of alternate first and secondhead support members 512 that may be affixed to a hat or alternateheadgear via a fastening panel 516 attached to a portion or the headsupport member 512 that mates with the hat or headgear. The length L3 ofeach head support member is 3.5 inches. The width W3 of each headsupport member is 2.5 inches. The fastening panel 516 of each headsupport member 512 may couple, strap, or affix the head support member512 to a hat (not shown) or alternate headgear (not shown) in adiametrically opposing arrangement similar to the arrangement of thefirst and second head support members 112 shown in FIG. 3. The first andsecond neck support members 512 when affixed or coupled to the hat orheadgear are configured to embrace and support the head of a wearer in adiametrically opposed arrangement.

The first and second head support members 512, in an embodiment, areidentical and anatomically complimentary to each other such that a headsupport member positioned on the left side supports the left side of thehead while the head support member positioned on the right side supportthe right side of the head. More specifically, the first and second headsupport members 512 arc configured to closely embrace a left side of thehead and a right side of the head.

In an embodiment, the first and second head support members 512 areconfigured to adapt to the wearer's anatomical profile and movements,especially about the head.

Since, each of the first and second head support members 512 isessentially identical only one stitch member will be described indetail. The first head support member 512 comprises a rectangular shapewith a convex contour, as best seen in FIG. 5B, the convex contour beingconfigured to position a side of a wearer's head on surface of anupright seat. Specifically, each head support member 512 is positionedand configured to support the head. Each head support member 512 isposition on a back (posterior) area proximate the rear INFR TemporalLine and lamnditdal talice as labeled in FIG. 6 and similarlyillustrated in FIG. 3 with first and second head support members 112.

Alternate embodiments may include additional padding about the posterioror rear portion of the headband (shown as reference numeral 110 in FIGS.1-4) to better distribute the loads carried on the first and second headsupport members (shown as reference numerals 112 in FIGS. 1-4). In anembodiment, a neoprene fabric (which may be the padding layer or aseparate layer) may be used as the headband or may be an exterior layerthat removes for washing or replacement. The neoprene fitting may alsobe available in a variety of colors.

In one embodiment the fastening means for connecting the head supportmember with the headband (or hat or headgear) comprises a hook and loopfastening system (e.g. Velcro™). The fastening means is configured tofasten together each head support member to an exterior surface of aheadband (or hat or headgear). Likewise, the fastening means may includean alternate attachment means, such as zippers, snaps, matableaffixments, ties, straps, clips, elastic, or belts. In still furtherembodiments, the Travel Halo can also be available in multiple sizesranging from child sizes to adult sizes.

The Travel Halo allows the wearer to achieve, while sleeping, a moreanatomically aligned head and neck with respect to the spine thusproviding a more comfortable sleep. As can be readily seen, the TravelHalo provides a superior head neck support device for recreational andnon-medical use. That is, the Travel Halo provides a comfort shelfconfigured to cradle and support the head by translating the force ofgravity to the sides of the head and shoulders of the wearer,especially, when sitting upright. Its design results in a morecomfortable easily obtained sleep. Additionally, the Travel Halorequires less material than the traditional U-shaped pillow and requiresminimum storage space. It may easily fit into a front pocket of thewearer and is effectively easier than the U-shaped pillow to transport.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the all to which this invention pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed andthat modifications and other embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitations.

I claim:
 1. A head support device: a headband for encircling a head of awearer; and a first head support member and a second head supportmember, the first and second head support members being attached atcomplimentary opposing positions on the headband; wherein an interioredge of the first head support is spaced apart from an interior edge ofthe second head support and wherein the first and second head supportmembers are positioned on the headband such that an unpadded section ofthe device is positioned at an occiput of the head of the wearer whenthe device is worn encircling the head of the wearer.
 2. The headsupport device of claim 1, wherein each of the first head support andthe second head support comprise contoured pillows.
 3. The head supportdevice of claim 1, further comprising: an eye panel extending from theheadband.
 4. The head support device of claim 3, wherein a free edge ofthe eye panel furthest from the headband is contoured for positioningabout a face of the wearer.
 5. The head support device of claim 1,wherein the first and second head support members engage the head of thewearer and further engage a head rest surface, thereby restrictingrotation of the head of the wearer about an axis parallel to a neck ofthe wearer.
 6. A head support device: a headband for encircling a headof a wearer; a first head support member and a second head supportmember, the first and second head support members being attached atcomplimentary opposing positions on the headband; and at least oneunpadded section positioned at an occiput of the head of the wearer whenthe device is worn encircling the head of the wearer.
 7. The headsupport device of claim 6, wherein an interior edge of the first headsupport is spaced apart from an interior edge of the second head supportand wherein the first and second head support members are positioned onthe headband to enable the at least one unpadded section of the deviceto be positioned at an occiput of the head of the wearer when the deviceis worn encircling the head of the wearer.
 8. The head support device ofclaim 6, wherein each of the first head support and the second headsupport comprise contoured pillows.
 9. The head support device of claim6, further comprising: an eye panel extending from the headband.
 10. Thehead support device of claim 9, wherein a free edge of the eye panelfurthest from the headband is contoured for positioning about a face ofthe wearer.
 11. The head support device of claim 6, wherein the firstand second head support members engage the head of the wearer andfurther engage a head rest surface, thereby restricting rotation of thehead of the wearer about an axis parallel to a neck of the wearer.
 12. Ahead support device: a headband for encircling a head of a wearer; and afirst head support member and a second head support member, the firstand second head support members being attached at complimentary opposingpositions on the headband; wherein the head support device does notcomprise a head support member positioned at an occiput of the head ofthe wearer when the device is worn encircling the head of the wearer.13. The head support device of claim 12, wherein each of the first headsupport and the second head support comprise contoured pillows.
 14. Thehead support device of claim 12, further comprising: an eye panelextending from the headband.
 15. The head support device of claim 14,wherein a free edge of the eye panel furthest from the headband iscontoured for positioning about a face of the wearer.
 16. The headsupport device of claim 12, wherein the first and second head supportmembers engage the head of the wearer and further engage a head restsurface, thereby restricting rotation of the head of the wearer about anaxis parallel to a neck of the wearer.